Started working on the 3d design for the 4.3 LCD bezel tonight so that it fits snugly in the apron. Here is v4ish. Still working out the texture and paint, glossy is too glossy, satin is too flat.

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1. Finished all the 27 inch mounting hardware today, 3d prints for brackets, and how to handle the light bleed as much as possible. I have enough parts for 3 of these kits and then I am tapped out for a while since my number for my TNA is coming up. I'll let everyone know when I get closer to having those 3 kits ready.

2.Finished a new version tonight for the SAM version. You will need the very latest pinball-browser and comms patch (132) for this to work.

Installation documentation updated and I sent instructions to everyone who has one on how to update. (for those of you that are using the SAM and not the TLS version) Just DM me if you didn't get it.

v1.4. Changes to SAM version:
* Added new DiscMB Restart mode so that detection of the mode state is possible if you don't hit the DISCMB Restart shot.
* Added DiscMB Restart Video
* DiscMB Return detection
* Added Return to Grid Detection
* Zen mode added
* Find Flynn and Flynn found mode detection added
* Fixed Most Active modes to clear the video list and default to The Grid video when complete
* Added structure for re-setting states on Active Multiball mode completion
* Added wait times in between mode completions to allow for video updates
* Fixed Game over video
* Added placeholder videos for SOS and Portal
* Added Portal mode detection
* updated firmware version detection to 1.32
* better comms version detection code
* Turned off TRON mode for now, TRON was too busy and interrupting modes
* added debug output and log files to usb
* Prelim Ball drain detection (only in code/debug)
* Prelim Active Score per Player (only in code/debug)

Install Pictures for the 27 inch 1080p LCD.

Liiiiiiiike a glove....

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And here is the two orange and blue discs that are going down each side of the monitor. Most people probably didn't even see them. Playing with implementing them into the mode. Still need a good clean light bleed solution.

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Note to self, add an easter egg to the 27 inch LCD for when FRX is entered in as a high score it changes it to "STUPIDSLUT"

Every machine at Nicklerama would say that then though...

After creating a parts list for the 27 inch monitor and making sure I had everything included in the kit, I went back through the install and everything is great. The small translite needs to be wider on both sides by about 5mm, and it needs a 5mm black boarder at the top so that the LCD doesn't cause a shadow on the translite art. Now I see why JJP created the boarders in the Translite/backglass for their LCD's.

The new code seems MUCH better at handling modes and clearing out back to a default video when no modes are running.
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One small issue, or big issue for those select few. If you want the 27 inch backbox LCD, and you already have a ColorDMD LCD DMD installed, this isn't going to work due to that LCD sticking up above the speaker panel. You will either need your original DMD (Blue or whatever) or a ColorDMD LED DMD.
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I'll hit people up that DM'ed me about the 27 inch kits this week. I should have 3 of them to start. Remember, you will need to source a Translite. DM me for details.

Devil is in the details, trying to make sure everything is super stable. I have the hardware done and just need to figure out how shipping is going to work. I'll try to get that done between today and tomorrow since I am off work tomorrow.

1. I had some weird edge cases where Stern doesn't actually report back anything when certain modes are lit or complete, so you can end up in an endless loop. That is all fixed now and there is so much more debug code to handle those situations.

2. I had to get 4 players working so that mode videos didn't carry over into other peoples games, and handle the dance between active players and what should be shown on the LCD. That is also done.

3. I still need to test what this code is going to do on an LE.

CODE:
1-4 player game code is working really well. It's neat to see the base video mode that the player is running follow the player through their balls. That was more work than I thought.

BACKBOX LCD:
Okay now that the Tron code feels complete I'm finishing the kits for the backbox and just tweaking some things I didn't like. I changed the threaded rods from 3" to 4" to give some extra room to get the LCD closer to the glass to remove the light bleed. I am happy with it. The Artwork when printed will need a black border to hide any shadows from the weather striping around the side. I created this border which should take care of the shadows.

APRON:
Also, worked more on the texture for the 3d printed plastic bezel that goes around the Around the Apron LCD. That molded texture on the apron is REALLY hard to duplicate. This is as close as I am going to get and I feel like absolutely no one except me would be this picky. The good news is this is really easy to do, print, rattle can spray paint, and dry.

Happy Sunday.

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I will have two backbox kits ready this week, PM me and I will add you to my list.
For those that like pictures, I spent my day messing with the Apron Mod. The 3d printed bezel snaps right into the instruction card slot and covers the angles. You do have to make a 1 inch hole for the ribbon cable in the bottom so it does require a small mod, but it just needs to be less than 1mm so even a hot x-acto knife would do it. I am printing a new one with notches cut out of the top for the Tron art that I didn't think through. Anyway, picture time.

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Added over 6 years ago: 1mm = 1inch. I screwed up. a 1mm hole is stupid.

It does, and it is metal. I am working on a version that sits above the metal one but that is going to take a bit longer because I had to order a metal apron to test on. Trying to finish the backboxes this week and then I will do the metal apron.

Everyone with LE's makes me crazy jealous.

For the Apron? Probably be two versions:

You can obviously make these yourself and order the parts from Adafruit. I am just selling them to fund R&D into other pinball projects so I can keep doing this. If you have a 3d printer, a DIY pinball attitude, feel free to hit me up and I will share.

For those that want this done and plug and play:
Base version: I am hovering around $190 right now. LCD and a Pi with no integration, but you can put any video or set of images on the sdcard and it will cycle through them. These take me about an hour to make each one. If the displays panels I ordered from China work then that will lower the cost down by $20.

Deluxe: I can also do the deluxe version with the Tron Integration, but I haven't tested all of that yet as there is a resolution difference between the 4.3 and 5 inch displays. That could force me to re-edit all the videos into that resolution... That price is basically the base kit + this LCD only so you remove the cost of the extra pi PC, power, sdcard, etc.

Long short of it, I am getting there and trying not to gouge the pinball community. Availability will be after the backbox people start rolling. I've got to get that done first.

OH, THAT! $699 and I am not sure I am really making anything if you factor in hours of work. Look at it this way, JJP's 27 inch LCD is $569.99 and that doesn't come with a computer, backbox mounts, power, mode integration. I think $569 for an LCD is ridiculous, but these things add up.

Thanks, its been a lot of work but rewarding to do something interesting and different.

Finished 3 Backbox kits and assembly today. I went ahead and built enough to do 5 kits but I still will need 2 more LCD's to complete those kits. Sending PM's to those at the top of the list. If are really interested in spending the money on this and can handle ordering a translite from somewhere, send me a PM so I can get an idea on how many of these I need to build. I am moving on to a Star Trek Backbox display after this one.

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Just answering this question: Correct, the program should be exactly the same between the different LCD options. When I have time, I am going to do a demo of the three of them. My only concern is the difference in video resolution for the 4.3, but it might downscale just fine on it. I wont know until I get it all wired up. I personally still like the playfield version because of the 3 base video modes that all have to do with the Recognizer/Disc combo. Base Mode = Enter the grid, Bank has been hit but not down = Shoot the Recognizer, Bank Down and Disc Spinning = SHOOT THE DISC.

Finished implementing the Apron LCD mod. It's one of the cleaner implementations because everything is under the apron and it just needs two cables, one goes to the com port on the stern cpu and the other connects to the accessory 5v molex port by the coin door. I also got the lcd ribbon cable to run through one of the cut outs on the apron so you don't have to mod or make a hole in the apron at all.

Pictures and video.

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And for fun, scanned in versions of the Stern cards being displayed on the LCD. You could cycle through different ones, show ads for your place, etc while in attract mode. Maybe I'll create a Nickelrama and Pinstacks version and take it up there.

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Stern Star Trek is next and it is sitting right next to this Tron. I have the mode integration tested, I just need to learn the actual rules of the game so I can map out all the gotcha like mode stacking.

After that it will probably be Ghostbusters since it is a spike with a DMD and there isn't a ColorDMD out for it yet.

Then one of the Music games, maybe the new Lucy ACDC with a full backbox. Of course that one wouldn't work unless you could get an animator to cut up some videos for each mode.

Metallica would be easy because you could just show concerts or music videos for modes.

I agree on the apron lcd. It is more for rotating instruction cards and maybe something interesting for attract. Without mode integration, it is a lot cheaper and can work with any Stern Pro machine out of the box.

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I signed up to bring it, this will be my first TPF so it should be interesting all around. Maybe I can just put my machine in one of the vendor booths.

All that's left is to re-integrate the motorized wheelie light cycles and this thing should be done, and COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS with the amount of LCDs. That is fun for the show but I will probably take a few off for my personal collection. My LCD addiction is getting out of hand..

NINJA EDIT: -- added pic.

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I should be able to do this on demand. Let me describe "this".

Playfield LCD: Easy, parts readily available. Can be on-demand

Apron LCD: Easy, most work is 3d printing for these which I can do now that it is designed very quickly. Can be on-demand

Backbox LCD: More complex, there is a VERY specific type of 27 inch HD LCD that works with the 3d printed mounts and slides perfectly in between the mounts on the speaker panel. I've spent too much money on different sizes, and not all 27 inch displays are the same. These displays allow for the maximum horizontal width, while having the absolute smallest height so that you actually have enough room for a decently sized Translate. The other LCD's I've tested are an inch taller (cutting into the translite location) and an inch shorter on the width (leaving more gaps on both sides of the LCD). The translite I have is 26 inches wide and 5.76 inches tall with this specific LCD. Point being, I am grabbing the supply of these as I can, but eventually those will run dry and I will have to find another display with the same characteristics or no one wants them and then I will move on.